Engagements
From cities and anchor institutions to corporate clients, Steven brings a data-driven, results-focused, and collaborative approach to all of his engagements, leveraging his experience in strategy creation, implementation, and relationship development.
His expertise includes: economic development, strategy creation, policy analysis, placemaking, innovation districts, anchor institutions, public-private partnerships, finance and incentives, real estate development, land use and zoning, knowledge dissemination, place branding, and public speaking.
Jerusalem Economic Development Strategy; Jerusalem
Developed strategy to ensure long-term competitiveness, resulting in a billion shekels for implementation from the Israeli government
Denver Shared and Inclusive Prosperity Strategy; Denver
Developed an engagement framework and strategy, on behalf of Mayor Hancock, for inclusive economic development and prosperity initiatives
Inter-American Development Bank; Washington, D.C.
Created a series of case study insights and best practices for growing the “orange (creative and knowledge) economy” in Latin America
Austin Mobility and Infrastructure Workforce Strategic Plan; Austin
Developed strategic plan to scale Austin’s training capacity and pipeline for the city’s growing mobility and infrastructure sector
Metro Portland Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy; Portland
Guided a comprehensive economic development strategy centered on the principles of economic growth, resilience, and equity
Newark Economic Development Strategy and Recovery Plan; Newark
Fashioned an economic development strategy and recovery plan for the City of Newark, including an action plan for the Newark Alliance
City of Tucson Economic Development Strategic Plan; Tucson
Developed an economic development strategic plan, centered on equity and leveraging the city’s multicultural assets
City of Scottsdale Economic Development Strategic Plan; Scottsdale
Crafted an economic development strategic plan, centered on resiliency and destination development
San Diego-Tijuana Bi-National Policy Recommendations; San Diego
Developed and presented policies for cross-border collaboration to the U.S. Depts. of Commerce, State, and Homeland Security
Northwest Arkansas and State of Arkansas Economic Post COVID-19 Recovery Plans; Bentonville
Collaborated with team of leading academics, economists and practitioners to author future-looking economic recovery plans for both Northwest Arkansas and the State of Arkansas
City of Houston Economic Development Marketing and Messaging Platform; Houston
Created a competitive identity and messaging platform to guide Houston’s economic development and destination marketing
City of Greenville Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan; Greenville
Lead the creation of a five-year economic development strategy and action plan to guide the city’s business attraction and retention efforts
Northwest Arkansas Council Regional Strategy and Action Plan; Bentonville
Crafted a five-year regional strategy for NWA, addressing the challenges of growth, talent attraction/ retention, startup development and more
City of Charlottesville Economic Development Strategic Plan; Charlottesville
Led the creation of economic development strategy centered on equity
City of Gilbert Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, Gilbert
Developed an economic development strategy that balances livability and prosperity
City of Olathe Economic Development Strategy, Olathe
Created an economic development strategy to further the City’s cluster, talent, and downtown development
Quad Cities Destination Development, Davenport and Moline
Facilitated regional conversation to further destination development and shared resourcing
Town of Milton Economic Development Strategic Plan; Milton
Developed a five-year economic development strategic plan, including organizational and resource assessment
City of Mesquite Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan; Mesquite
Developed a five-year economic development strategy and implementation plan, positioning Mesquite for growth in North Texas
City of Brookings Economic Development Comprehensive Plan; Brookings
Created a comprehensive economic development plan to encourage greater cooperation among the City’s economic and workforce development partners
Downtown Austin Economic Recovery Keynote; Austin
Led Downtown Austin Alliance Board of Directors through a session to explore the impact of COVID-19 on future placemaking and downtown Austin
Texas Economic Development Association Keynote; Austin
Offered keynote address for the Texas Economic Development Association, outlining strategic principles for building a more inclusive Texas
Texas Municipal League Conference Keynote ; Austin
Offered keynote presentation for the Texas Municipal league, offering recovery strategies for Texas cities
Destination Tulsa 2020; Tulsa
Generated, in partnership with Resonance Consultancy, a competitive identity and plan to attract investment – business, talent, and visitors
Distrito Purísima-Alameda Urban Development Strategy; Monterrey
Produced a district plan for Distrito Purísima-Alameda and an anchor strategy for U-ERRE
Art Basel Cities; Buenos Aires
Evaluated Buenos Aries’ creative industries and developed go-to-market strategies for Art Basel Cities festival
Quad Cities Competitive Identity and Marketing Strategy; Davenport
Created a competitive identity for the attraction of investment and talent to the Quad Cities
Lynchburg Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan; Lynchburg
Produced economic development approach and implementation plan, focusing on inclusion and equity
South Bend-Elkhart Regional Identity and Marketing Plan; South Bend
Created, in collaboration with Resonance Consultancy, a regional identity for improving corporate and talent attraction
Boerne-Kendall County Economic Development and Innovation Roadmap; Boerne
Crafted a five-year economic development action plan and innovation roadmap for Borene-Kendall County (supported by UT-Austin’s IC2)
Prince George Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan; Prince George
Developed a five-year economic development strategy and implementation plan, including a competitive assessment
Columbia River Economic Development Strategic Plan; Vancouver
Advanced, in partnership with Leland Consulting Group, a five-year strategic plan for targeted economic growth
Bozeman Economic Development Marketing Strategy; Bozeman
Developed, in partnership with Bridge Consulting, an economic development marketing strategy and cluster profiles
Coeur d’Alene’s Economic Development Strategy and Master Plan; Coeur d’Alene
Devised economic development assessment and strategy to support the Coeur d’Alene’s community master plan
Ruidoso, New Mexico Economic Development and Tourism Assessment; Ruidoso
Executed, in collaboration with Bridge Consulting, an economic development and tourism assessment
Big Sky Montana Community Marketing Profile; Big Sky
Created, in collaboration with Bridge Consulting, a community marketing profile for corporate and talent attraction
Stayton, Oregon Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan; Stayton
Authored, in partnership with Bridge Consulting, a five-year strategic plan for targeted economic growth
Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) Strategic Advising; Austin
Served as an advisor/keynote speaker for the RECA’s policy efforts for influencing for Austin’s CodeNEXT program
Salmon Arm Competitive Identity and Economic Development Strategy; Salmon Arm
Crafted, in partnership with Resonance Consultancy, a community competitive identity and five-year economic development strategy
NYCEDC Jamaica Queens Neighborhood Branding and Placemaking; New York
Detailed, in partnership with Resonance Consultancy, a community branding and placemaking approach
Yukon Innovative Economy Strategy; Whitehouse
Assessed the Yukon’s creative and innovation economy, resulting in short- and long-term recommendations
CareerSource Suncoast State of Talent Conference; Sarasota
Featured as keynote conference speaker for Florida’s “State of Talent Conference,” offering thought leadership and best practices on talent attraction and retention
The Erie Community Foundation; Erie
Designed and implemented a community indicators dashboard to track Erie’s economic progress, talent and skill improvements, and quality of life enhancements
Newark Creative and Cultural Assessment; Newark
Outlined Newark’s creative and cultural assets, leading to improved support programs for creative businesses
Eugene Industry and Talent Assessment; Eugene
Developed industry and talent cluster forecast, improving attraction efforts and workforce programs
Southwestern Ohio Council on Higher Education (SOCHE) Community Engagement; Dayton
Delivered the Dayton Creative Communities Leadership Program, a yearlong initiative aimed at retaining talent
Knight Foundation Creative Communities Leadership Program; Miami and Various U.S. Cities
Created scalable community engagement program for the Foundation’s 23 investment communities
Portland-Vancouver Economic Development Strategy; Portland
Fashioned private-sector strategy for advancing area industry priorities and attracting/retaining talent
Washington, D.C. Talent Assessment and Strategy; Washington, D.C.
Authored talent study, creating a dialogue about workforce issues and leading to new community college programs
Federal Realty Investment Trust White Flint Sector Plan; Bethesda
Convened developers, elected officials, CEOs, and economic development practitioners to revisit the White Flint Sector Development Plan (Bethesda and Rockville, MD), resulting in a white paper outlining key priorities for igniting development
EDENS Inclusive Prosperity Framework; Washington, D.C.
Fashioned anchor development framework for Union Market, a large scale urban redevelopment project, including procurement priorities, placemaking, and neighborhood outreach
Silverstein Properties; New York
Developed a destination and development strategy, in collaboration with Resonance Consultancy, for a large-scale , mixed-use regional entertainment center
FIU Miami Urban Future Initiative Strategy; Miami
Created strategy for the Miami Urban Future Initiative, resulting in $1.2 million in funding from the Knight Foundation
Kaufman Astoria Studios District Development Strategy; New York
Guided Kaufman Astoria Studios and its partners on the creation of an innovative and creative industries district in Queens, New York
Stephen F. Austin University Anchor Engagement Strategy; Nacogdoches
Crafted, in partnership with LBJ graduates, an anchor engagement strategy for SFA, outlining ways for boosting development in Deep East Texas
University of Texas Permian Basin Anchor Engagement Strategy; Midland-Odessa
Developed, in partnership with LBJ graduates, an anchor strategy for UTPB, offering insights for leading regional engagement
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation Redevelopment and Revisioning Workshop; Calgary
Led CMLC Board of Directors through a workshop to consider the impact of COVID-19 on future placemaking and redevelopment
Portland State University Workforce Development Alignment; Portland
Consulted with Portland State University leadership on a plan to align the University’s degree offering with regional workforce needs
University of Texas at Arlington Engagement Plan; Arlington
Advised UTA President James Spaniolo, as a Visiting Scholar, on how to strengthen the University’s regional position as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship
Philadelphia Inclusive Prosperity Engagement Strategy; Philadelphia
Created, in collaboration with Richard Florida, an inclusive prosperity engagement strategy for regional anchors: University City Science Center, Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson University
Delaware Economic Recovery Keynote and Recommendations; Dover
Offered keynote and strategic advice about economic recovery to Delaware Technical College
Creative Industries Study and Belas Artes University Engagement Plan; Sao Paulo
Authored creative industries report, leading to curriculum review and engagement plan for Brazil’s largest design school
Utah Urban Land Institute Trends Conference; Salt Lake City
Served as keynote speaker for the Utah ULI Trends conference, presenting a message about the importance of inclusive development
CEDIM Masters of Business Innovation Program; Monterrey and Mexico City
Worked with CEDIM leadership to develop and scale Masters program across Mexico and serve as a professor
Noosa Australia Creative Economy Assessment and Growth Strategy; Noosa
Consulted with Stockwell Properties and regional government on urban and community development strategies
Emaar Properties Community Engagement; Vancouver
Led, in partnership with Emaar, community visioning and masterplan workshops with First Nation communities
Converse Creative Class Marketing; Boston
Crafted Jack Purcell go-to-market plan, focusing on four U.S. markets, London, and Beijing
Kraft Peanut Butter Community Activation Plan; Toronto
Developed, in partnership with Edelman, Kraft’s community activation plan, including target cities, partners, and messaging
Starwood Hotel Site Selection Strategy; New York
Provided site selection strategy for 15 global locations and curated content for the “creative class” consumer
Downtown Project and Zappos Community Engagement; Las Vegas
Advised Zappos’ CEO Tony Hsieh and city officials on strategies for redeveloping downtown Las Vegas
Cirque du Soleil Site Selection Assessment; Montreal
Advised on North America target markets, leading to company’s “most successful site strategy for performances”
Prudential; Newark
Consulted on future growth scenarios and projections for urbanization, including city needs and challenges
Audi Community and Urban Engagement; New York
Partnered in the creation of the Audi Urban Future Initiative, a program to improve urban mobility
LE Luxury Travel; Miami
Delivered a series of industry workshops, for connecting luxury travel brands to the “creative class” consumer
Pinewood Studios Site Selection Study; London
Guided one of the world’s largest film studios on the impact of creative clusters, resulting in locational insights
Genentech Global Leadership Forum; San Francisco
Offered executive education sessions about the importance of location to personal and business growth
Philips Livable Cities Award; Amsterdam
Created, in partnership with CNN, award program to improve the urban resident health, resulting in 450 entries from 29 countries
onefinestay Site Selection; London
Informed onefinestay’s organizational and marketing strategy for targeting the “creative class” consumer
BMW Creative Class Marketing Strategy; Washington, D.C.
Informed, in collaboration with GSD&M, the “Idea Class” campaign, hailed as “one of its most successful ad campaigns for BMW”